Modi lays foundation of 660 MW Panki power plant

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of Panki thermal power plant of 660 MW capacity and unveiled plaques to mark the launch of various development projects worth Rs 66.20 crore on Niralanagar railway ground in the city on Friday. He also inaugurated the Lucknow Metro and laid the foundation stone of Agra Metro through video link on the occasion.

In the context of Panki plant, he mentioned that how it will transform the power deficiency in Kanpur as well as the state. “The electricity, which will be available in less than half the price, will also decrease pollution,” he said.

The PM added that under the Saubhagya scheme, more than 76 lakh free electricity connections have been provided to the people in UP. “Under the scheme, power connections have been made available to over 1.5 lakh homes in Kanpur itself,” he said.

Modi said that the state and Union governments have worked hard to improve the availability of electricity in the city.

The PM also highlighted the initiatives taken by the Union government to clean the river Ganga. “Earlier, the task of cleaning the Ganga was thought to be impossible, but now the government is making this impossible possible. Several actions have been taken for the treatment of sewage water and stop drains from reaching the river,” the PM said.

“We have tapped the Sisamau nullah, which had earned infamy across the world. Besides, also launched a campaign to close and treat the sewage that goes into the river through drains. The work to treat the water of Jajmau tanneries has also started today,” he added.

“Our government has also made a special plan for the leather industry under the Namami Gange campaign, under which foundation of a large plant has been laid to clean the water emanating from leather industries from today. It would stop two million litres of dirty water from flowing into the Ganga every day,” he said.

Modi also inaugurated the Lucknow Metro Rail project and laid the foundation stone of Agra Metro Rail project through video link. “Metro facilities have also been promoted. Several metro projects in UP, including Kanpur Metro, have been approved by the Central government,” said Modi.

The PM also said that the defence corridor coming up in UP will greatly benefit the people of Kanpur.

“Major infrastructure is being built in roadways, airways and railways, including various metro projects started in the state. These projects will transform the state,” the PM said.

He reiterated that by 2022, every single family in the country will have a house. “Under PM Awas Yojana, around 1.5 crore houses have already been built in the country so far,” he said.

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The ongoing field development and EOR/IOR projects are expected to produce a cumulative of 54.6 million tonne (mt) of crude oil and 114 billion cubic meter (bcm) of natural gas in the next three to four years, the report said.